Punjab used as transit route by drug peddlers: Deputy CM

Chandigarh: Stating that Punjab was being used as transit route by drug peddlers, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday said he will raise the issue of cross border "narco-terrorism" with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

"Punjab has a 553 km long international border with Pakistan which further has a border with Afghanistan, known for drug production. Punjab is being used by peddlers as transit route from Afghanistan and Pakistan and the state is working day and night to plug all the channels to stop the inflow of drugs to the Punjab," he told reporters.

Maintaining that BSF is responsible for the security of international borders, Badal said he would write letters to the Prime Minister and Home Minister to press the BSF to stop illegal flow of drugs across the border.

He however made it clear that Punjab has zero production of drugs, but was a victim of narcotics smuggling.

Seeking a complete ban on legal cultivation and sale of opium and poppy husk in BJP ruled Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, he said drug peddlers used to smuggle these narcotics to Punjab and other states.

He said Punjab Police has seized the highest percentage of drugs in the country besides putting nearly 30,000 smugglers behind bars in a special drive against drugs.